Germany 2026 World Cup Preview - Anything Possible for Julian Nagelsmann's Side

Matthew Marshall

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Last updated: Thu 11 Jun 2026 09:36

Matthew Marshall 11 Jun 2026

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Germany search for a fifth World Cup after recent group stage exits
40-year-old Manuel Neuer has come out of retirement to start in goal
Julian Nagelsmann leads a world class squad capable of going deep

Germany arrive at the 2026 World Cup seeking redemption and a record-tying fifth title. After humiliating group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, they have undergone a transformation under Julian Nagelsmann.

World Cup History
The Road to 2026 - Five Straight Wins
The Manager - Julian Nagelsmann
The Squad - Youngsters Coming Through
Players to Watch
Group E Schedule and Path to the Final
2026 World Cup Winner Odds
Group E Winner Odds
Germany Stage of Elimination Odds
Germany Top Team Goalscorer Odds

Die Mannschaft enter the tournament with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Anything between an early exit and a run to the final is possible for a squad full of world class stars.

World Cup History

Germany remain consistent at the World Cup, featuring in all but two editions. They boast four titles and a record eight final appearances.

They sensationally won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, thrashing the hosts 7-1 in the semi-finals before Mario Götze's added time strike in the final secured a 1-0 victory over Argentina.

A horror campaign in 2018 saw Die Mannschaft finish bottom of Group F that included Sweden, Mexico and South Korea.

Hansi Flick took Germany to Qatar four years ago which was another disaster, finishing third in Group E behind Japan and Spain.

Year	Host	Stage Reached
1934	Italy	Third Place
1938	France	First Round
1954	Switzerland	Champions
1958	Sweden	Fourth Place
1962	Chile	Quarter-finals
1966	England	Runners-up
1970	Mexico	Third Place
1974	West Germany	Champions
1978	Argentina	Second Round
1982	Spain	Runners-up
1986	Mexico	Runners-up
1990	Italy	Champions
1994	United States	Quarter-finals
1998	France	Quarter-finals
2002	South Korea/Japan	Runners-up
2006	Germany	Third Place
2010	South Africa	Third Place
2014	Brazil	Champions
2018	Russia	Group Stage
2022	Qatar	Group Stage

*Germany competed as West Germany for the final time in 1990

The Road to 2026 - Eight Straight Wins

Germany started the World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 defeat in Slovakia, rallying to win their remaining five matches.

They sat level with Slovakia ahead of a showdown on the final matchday but came through with flying colours. Julian Nagelsmann's side won 6-0 in Leipzig, Leroy Sane bagging a brace before half-time.

The German's have been prolific in three friendlies since, beating Switzerland 4-3 and Ghana 2-1 in March.

Deniz Undav scored twice in a 4-0 victory over Finland, their final warm up game to come against the USA in Chicago on 6 June.

The Manager - Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann came to prominence at Hoffenheim where he became the youngest coach in Bundesliga history.

The Sinsheim club qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time and finished third in the 2017-18 Bundesliga season.

He had spells at Leipzig and Bayern Munich before taking over the German team in September 2023, becoming Germany’s youngest-ever manager at just 36-years-old.

Stepping in during a crisis, he has favoured an aggressive, high-pressing and fluid system. His side were knocked out by Spain in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and Portugal in the 2025 Nations League semi-finals.

The Squad - Top Class from Back to Front

The 2026 squad features a tremendous amount of experience with Manuel Neuer, Antonio Rudiger and Joshua Kimmich combining for over 300 caps.

Neuer came out of international retirement and Nagelsmann confirmed the 40-year-old will be first choice at the tournament.

There are seven players from Bayern Munich and four from Borussia Dortmund which brings familiarity to the team.

Germany possess world-class playmakers including Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, Leroy Sane and 18-year-old Lennart Karl who has been coming through the ranks.

Pos	Player	Age	Club
GK	Manuel Neuer	40	Bayern Munich
GK	Oliver Baumann	36	Hoffenheim
GK	Alexander Nubel	29	Stuttgart
DF	Antonio Rudiger	33	Real Madrid
DF	Waldemar Anton	29	Borussia Dortmund
DF	Jonathan Tah	30	Bayern Munich
DF	Pascal Gross	34	Brighton & Hove Albion
DF	Nico Schlotterbeck	26	Borussia Dortmund
DF	Nathaniel Brown	22	Eintracht Frankfurt
DF	David Raum	28	Leipzig
DF	Malick Thiaw	24	Newcastle United
MF	Aleksandar Pavlovic	22	Bayern Munich
MF	Joshua Kimmich	31	Bayern Munich
MF	Leon Goretzka	31	Bayern Munich
MF	Jamie Leweling	25	Stuttgart
MF	Jamal Musiala	23	Bayern Munich
MF	Angelo Stiller	25	Stuttgart
MF	Florian Wirtz	23	Liverpool
MF	Leroy Sane	30	Galatasaray
MF	Nadiem Amiri	29	Mainz
MF	Felix Nmecha	25	Borussia Dortmund
MF	Lennart Karl	18	Bayern Munich
FW	Kai Havertz	26	Arsenal
FW	Nick Woltemade	24	Newcastle United
FW	Maximilian Beier	23	Borussia Dortmund
FW	Deniz Undav	29	Stuttgart

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Antonio Rudiger, David Raum; Aleksandar Pavlovic, Leon Goretzka; Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz; Kai Havertz

Players to Watch

Jonathan Tah: Tah is coming off highly successful campaign with Bayern Munich. His relationship with his club teammates a big advantage through the spine of the team.

Joshua Kimmich: The captain seamlessly shifts between an inverted right-back role and defensive midfield role, dictating the tempo and directing the team around the pitch.

Jamal Musiala: Musiala’s close-control in tight spaces and passing into the box makes him an indispensable weapon for breaking down stubborn defenses.

Deniz Undav: Undav has emerged as a clinical striker and with sx goals in eight internationals, he could see plenty of game time at the World Cup.

Kai Havertz: The forward missed the Nations League and qualifying campaigns due to injury but finished the season strong at Arsenal, scoring the opening goal in the Champions League final.

Havertz's tactical intelligence and versatility allows him to link up with Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.

Group E Schedule and Path to the Final

Germany will be covering plenty of miles at the World Cup, starting in Houston where they face Curaçao. They take on Ivory Coast in Toronto before meeting Ecuador in New Jersey.

Date	Opponent	Venue
June 14	Curaçao	NRG Stadium, Houston
June 20	Ivory Coast	BMO Field, Toronto
June 25	Ecuador	MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford

Winning Group E will set up a clash against a third placed team before a Round of 16 match against the winners of Group I, expected to be France.

Finishing second would see Germany meet the runners-up in Group I, likely to be Senegal or Norway. That path would set up a Round of 16 clash against Brazil.

2026 World Cup Winner Odds

Germany are being given a chance of winning the World Cup by bookmakers, currently sitting seventh in the betting market.

Team	Odds
Spain	5.50
France	6.00
England	7.00
Brazil	9.00
Argentina	10.00
Portugal	10.00
Germany	15.00
Netherlands	21.00
Norway	26.00
Belgium	34.00
Colombia	34.00
Japan	51.00
Morocco	51.00
USA	67.00
Uruguay	67.00
Switzerland	81.00
Mexico	81.00
Turkey	81.00
Croatia	81.00
Ecuador	101.00
Senegal	126.00
Sweden	126.00
Austria	151.00
Paraguay	151.00
Canada	151.00
Scotland	251.00
Bosnia and Herzegovina	251.00
Ivory Coast	301.00
Egypt	301.00
Czech Republic	301.00
Ghana	401.00
Algeria	401.00
South Korea	501.00
Australia	501.00
Tunisia	501.00
Iran	501.00
DR Congo	751.00
Saudi Arabia	1001.00
South Africa	1001.00
New Zealand	1501.00
Panama	1501.00
Iraq	1501.00
Uzbekistan	1501.00
Qatar	2001.00
Cape Verde	2001.00
Jordan	2501.00
Haiti	3001.00
Curacao	3501.00

Source: Stake.com and correct on 5 June 2026

Group E Winner Odds

Germany are heavy favourites to win Group E with Ecuador and Ivory Coast next best. Curaçao are given no chance.

Team	Odds
Germany	1.30
Ecuador	4.50
Ivory Coast	8.00
Curacao	201.00

Source: Stake.com and correct on 5 June 2026

Germany Stage of Elimination Odds

Die Mannschaft should have few problems getting out of the group stage and are more than capable of going deep at the tournament.

Stage	Odds
Group Stage	15.00
Round of 32	3.50
Round of 16	3.25
Quarter-finals	5.50
Semi-finals	6.00
Runner-Up	10.00
Winner	15.00

Source: Bet365 and correct on 5 June 2026

Germany Top Team Goalscorer Odds

Kai Havertz sits top of a wide open betting market. With an opening game against Curacao expected to produce goals, it would be no surprise to see Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala or Leroy Sane take the lead.

Player	Odds
Kai Havertz	3.00
Nick Woltemade	6.00
Florian Wirtz	6.50
Jamal Musiala	7.00
Deniz Undav	9.00
Leroy Sane	10.00
Maximilian Beier	17.00
Lennart Karl	17.00
Joshua Kimmich	21.00
Nadiem Amiri	21.00
Leon Goretzka	21.00
Pascal Gross	34.00
Jamie Leweling	34.00
Felix Nmecha	67.00

Source: Bet365 and correct on 5 June 2026

Verdict

Germany face a tough schedule but should be able to rack up some goals against Curacao. That would set them up to top Group E before a Round of 16 clash against France.

Julian Nagelsmann's side are capable of anything at the World Cup, but I think a defeat to Les Bleus is the most likely scenario.

Leroy Sane scored in Germany's final friendly against the USA, taking a game high four shots. He can take advantage of Curaçao in the opening match and top the goalscoring chart for Germany.

Round of 16

Germany Stage of Elimination

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Matthew Marshall is an Australian who worked in a number of industries before combining his love of football and media communications degree to become a sports journalist. Now living in Portugal, he is a Portuguese football expert who has covered multiple UEFA U21 European Championships, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2024 European Championship.